Eichaed jacks



(No Model.)

R. J AGKS.

WAGON REACH COUPLING.

No. 288,707. Patented Nov. 20,1883

N. FETEHYS. Phowunm n mr, Waxhinglon, D. C.

llnrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

moraine JAoKs, on MEADOW VALLEY, CALIFORNIA.

WAGON-REACH COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 288,707, dated November20, 1883.

Application filed August 18, 1883. (No model.)

.ToaZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD J AOKS, a citizen of the United States,residing in Meadow Valley, county of Plumas, State of California, havemade and invented certain new and use ful Improvements in WVagon-ReachCouplings, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactspecification, the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof. 7 I

Myinvention relates to a novel coupling for connecting reach to axleinrunning-gear of wagons. The coupling partakes of the character of auniversal joint. It is constructed and provided for the purpose ofpermitting free swing and independent movement within limits of thereach and axle, while at the same time it affords a strong and effectivefastening for these parts together. I

The manner in which I proceed to produce, construct, and apply my saidinvention is as follows, in the drawings referred to Figure 1 being aperspective View of the front axle, bolster, and reach; Fig. 2, a topview ofsame; Fig. 3, a longitudinal section in elevation.

A represents the front axle of a wagon, and B is the reach connectingthe front and rear axles.

The hounds are seen at c c, and the sway-bar at d.

E is a stirrup-plate bent into semicircular form, and having twoscrew-threaded ends, 6

' e, that are straight bolt-like continuations of stirrup E parallelwith each other.

the circular part. They are also of equal length, and extend backwardfrom the broad The plate E is secured to the back of the axle, at thepoint'wherethe reach is to be attached, by passing the ends 0 0 throughholes in the axle, or through apertures between the axle andthebolster-bar f, that is clipped to the axle. A strong and securefastening is insured by using plates 9 9 upon the front and rear, andthen screwing down nuts h, and, if necessary, using This mode offastening is seen in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

Over the end of the reach B is secured a strap-iron, H, having an eye,h, for a couplingbolt, I, to pass through The bend or loop of thestirrup E is slotted also for the passage of this bolt the slot beingwide enough for free play of the bolt, and extending from side to sideto give sufficient lateral movement as well. The head of thecoupling-bolt is curved on the back face, so as to fit the curved bendor loop of the stirrup. This head consists of a convex 5 5 saddle-block,J ,with a square hole in the center, through which the shank of the bolthaving corresponding form is inserted. In the rounded face are recessesj, to receive frictionrollers k k, that are placed in line, one aboveand the other below the bolt-shank. These rollers are employed to takethe friction from the saddle-block. The bolt and saddle-block can be onestructure; or they can be detached or separable parts, as I haverepresented in the drawings. In such construction the shank of the boltwill beheaded on the outside, and the face of the block that it bearsagainst will be flat.

the reach and to the middle of the axle, respectively, thesaddle-blockbeing slipped into place, with the coupling-bolt extendingthrough the slot, before the part E is secured to the axle.

The two parts E H are secured to the end of The parts. of the couplingare then united by passing the end of the coupling-bolt through the eyein the part H, and screwing down a nut, Z, placed on the threaded end ofthe bolt. The strap H is fixed to the reach to give sufficient roombetween the head of the strap and the end of the reach for placing andremoving this holding-nut.

A rubber spring or thick elastic washer, m, is interposed between theparts of the coupling,

and when they are drawn together by the coup- 8 5 'or jointed couplingin this manner, the rack and strain upon the running-gear of vwagonswill be greatly reduced, and their durability and greater comfort andease in riding as wellfg 5 are increased to a high degree beyond thatwhich is attained in and by rigid connection of these parts.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters 10c Patent, is

1. A jointed or flexible reach-coupling for running-gear of Wagons,consisting of the parts. ,E, having means for fastening it to the axle,lo I E H, adapted to be fixed to the end of a reach of the saddle-blockJ ,with fricti0n-r011ers,and

and the middle of the axle, respectively, the the coupling-bolt I, formaking attachment of c0up1ing-b01t I, saddle-block J, and spring m. isaid saddle-block with the end of the reach.

2. The combination of the stirrup-plate E,

having the slot for the play of the bolt, the lnOHARD O saddle-block Jthe strap H, and the c0up1ing- XVitnesses: bolt I. LEWIS STARK,

3. The combination, with the stirrup-plate J M. CHAPMAN.

